​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 24) and today (May 25) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 12 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 5.4 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $11 million. 

     In the first case, a 26-year-old foreign female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During Customs clearance, 10 bags of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 5.4 kilograms in total with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million was found inside her check-in suitcase. The female was subsequently arrested. The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on tomorrow (May 26).

     In the second case, a 18-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa today. During Customs clearance, a total of about 12 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $9.5 million was found concealed in 12 packets inside his carry-on suitcase. The male was subsequently arrested. An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Sunday, May 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:15

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